By Chris Croft, Prevention Education Program Manager, and Robin Colbert, Associate Director, of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)
Definitions and Context
In many parts of the world today, human trafficking is referred to as “modern-day slavery,” and indeed, various forms of slavery have existed throughout history. In the historical context of the U.S., however, most people associate “slavery” with one specific model: chattel slavery. In this essay, adapted from our Human Trafficking Prevention Toolkit, we explore this distinction and why it matters when it comes to reporting about trafficking.
Whereas all forms of chattel slavery fit the U.S. definition of human trafficking, not all forms of human trafficking fit the definition of chattel slavery. In the U.S, for example, human trafficking can include a homeless minor trading sex for a place to stay, or an immigrant laborer who could technically leave an exploitative work environment but fears coming forward out of the threat of being deported. These situations fit the definition of human trafficking; they are also unlike historical U.S. slavery in several key ways.
So what is “chattel slavery”?
Chattel slavery is the model of enslavement used in what is now the U.S. since settlement. Unique features of chattel slavery include:
- The enslaved person was considered the property of another person, throughout the duration of their life.
- The enslaved person’s children were also considered the property of the other person, so it was generational.
- Like property, they were passed down through the generations like inheritance.
- When “bought,” complete ownership was transferred to the buyer, who became the new “owner.”
Although the Thirteenth Amendment ended chattel slavery in the U.S. in 1865, the same racial hierarchies that were created to perpetuate race-based slavery were instituted in systems and society. These systems included redlining, disproportionate rates of incarceration, and disparate impacts of cash bail—many of those systems still disproportionately harm Black people. When racist beliefs and practices get embedded in systems and society, that is referred to as structural racism.
Table: Comparison among Human Trafficking, Chattel Slavery, and Structural Racism
Human Trafficking | Chattel Slavery | Structural Racism |
Illegal | Legal and state-sanctioned | Legal and state-sanctioned |
Systems and laws are designed to keep you out | Systems and laws were designed to keep you in | Systems and laws designed to self-perpetuate |
Assistance and support are encouraged by the state, and helpers are seen as beneficial | Assistance and support were not culturally accepted, and helpers were seen as radical criminals | Assistance and support are not culturally accepted, and helpers/resisters are seen as radical |
Not systematically generational | Systematically generational | Generational impacts with small changes resulting from major campaigns |
People of all races can be involved as either traffickers or survivors | System based on race, and race was constructed based on profit | Systems’ origins and impacts based on profits |
Language and Imagery
Best Practices:
- For more information, read “Rethinking ‘Modern Day Slavery,” NCCASA
- Avoid referring to human trafficking as “slavery” and refrain from using slavery-related metaphors like shackles or imprisonment unless you are referring to literal shackles or imprisonment or directly quoting a source. Work with editors at each step to assure this language does not re-enter the news.
- Avoid using imagery that suggests chattel slavery to accompany your reporting. Work with photographers and illustrators to assure this imagery does not appear in news coverage about trafficking.
- Follow survivor-led organizations such as National Survivor Network and Survivor Alliance to learn about prevailing issues and perspectives.
- Avoid using imagery that suggests chattel slavery to accompany your reporting. Work with photographers and illustrators to assure this imagery does not appear in news coverage about trafficking.
- Follow survivor-led organizations such as National Survivor Network and Survivor Alliance to learn about prevailing issues and perspectives.
- Gain a better understanding of the impact of language and imagery on communities of color by engaging in critical conversation with anti-racist organizations.
Chris Croft
Prevention Education Program Manager
Robin Colbert
Associate Director, of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)